Repudiating Ajaero’s Narrative: Labour Must Focus on Workers, Not Politic, By Ngozi Amah-Okezie

The recent assertion by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aloof and systematically disengaged from organised labour is misleading, counterproductive, and capable of undermining the credibility of the labour movement.

Such claims fail to acknowledge the ongoing, multi-level engagements between the Federal Government, state governments, and organised labour on critical labour and economic issues.

As Nigeria undergoes a delicate phase of economic recovery and structural reforms, the NLC must be careful not to be perceived as an extension of the political opposition, especially with the 2027 general elections drawing closer. Genuine labour activism must remain distinct from partisan agitation.

Characterizing the administration as treating “everyone as an enemy” and resorting to recurring threats of industrial action only serves to heighten political tension, risk economic disruption, and erode public confidence in organised labour.

When labour leadership adopts a confrontational and politically charged stance, it weakens its own negotiating power and risks alienating the workers it represents. To retain its relevance and public respect, the NLC under Comrade Ajaero should recalibrate its approach and recommit to its core constitutional mandate — advancing workers’ welfare through constructive, objective, and solution-driven engagement.

​Key Strategic Imperatives for the NLC
​1. Prioritise Core Socio-Economic Deliverables
​The leadership of organised labour should direct its full focus to tangible outcomes that directly impact workers’ daily lives. Attention must be centered on the swift implementation of minimum wage agreements, workplace safety standards, prompt pension disbursements, and structured relief measures to offset rising transportation and food costs.

​2. Institutionalise Dialogue Over Public Media Confrontations
​Rather than relying on podcasts, media broadcasts, and public ultimatums, the NLC should utilize established tripartite frameworks involving Government, Employers, and Labour Unions. Scheduled joint committees and formal engagement channels yield far more sustainable progress than public disputes over communication timelines.

​3. Safeguard Strict Political Neutrality
​To negotiate effectively with any seated administration, organised labour must maintain unequivocal non-partisanship. Keeping union communications focused strictly on labor standards and economic realities ensures long-term institutional credibility regardless of political transitions.

​4. Advance Pragmatic, Data-Driven Policy Solutions
​When addressing broader macroeconomic challenges—such as energy pricing, fuel subsidies, and inflation—labour should present realistic, data-backed policy alternatives. Collaborative frameworks and practical economic proposals are far more effective at achieving progress than absolute demands that lead to impasse.

​Nigeria requires a patriotic, responsible, and forward-looking labour movement that works collaboratively with all stakeholders to improve livelihoods and strengthen national institutions. Ajaero’s narrative distracts from these goals and should be set aside. The NLC must return to its core purpose: advocating for Nigerian workers with integrity, independence, and focus.

*Ngozi is a writer and policy analyst based in Port Harcourt